Out-of-contract Liverpool star reaches verbal agreement with La Liga giants

Transfer News: Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum all set to join Barcelona

As per Italian journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have reached a verbal agreement with Georginio Wijnaldum and the Liverpool midfielder will join the club in the summer.

The midfielder is out of contract and is yet to renew his deal at Liverpool. And he is now set to join La Liga giants Barcelona for the next season, pending an agreement regarding his wages.

It was earlier reported that Bayern Munich have an interest in the Dutchman but that has also been quickly shut down by Romano. He is believed to be joining the Catalan side on a three-year deal until the summer of 2024.

Wijnaldum played a big role in getting the club to where they are right now. Signed from Newcastle United in 2015, the 30-year-old  has been an ever-present player in the midfield.

Who will replace Wijnaldum?

His availability and fitness are quite possibly the two things we will miss about him the most. Even in such an injury-hit season, he managed to make over 50 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side in all competitions. (Stats Credit: Transfermarkt)

Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are injury-prone, so it becomes imperative that Klopp signs a midfielder to replace the outgoing Wijnaldum. Thiago, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho are of course there.

But it would be a big burden on their shoulders to start in every game next season. And with the fitness issues the club has seen in the past half a year, squad depth becomes very important.

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There is also Curtis Jones, who could be pushed to make more first-team starts this campaign. But a proven, senior midfielder seems necessary for a side like Liverpool where the midfield is an important part of our gameplan.